By barge - A trip on the water
“Up a lazy river by the old mill stream…” Sing as you take a trip on the water between Cappy and Amiens. This six-hour trip will leave a lasting memory. Going through the locks is always an exciting experience. Don’t forget to take your bike too.
Get on at the Cappy watersports centre. Enjoy the feeling of liberty and lightness. Nature is within arm’s reach. Here, calm reigns. Travel alongside the ponds and marshes.
A family from Troyes relates their trip: “We came to the Somme for a mini-break and it just went so quickly. There are so many pretty villages along the canal. It was a new experience for us. People take time for themselves. We found shops everywhere. The atmosphere was very relaxed.” Some English visitors also confirm how they were charmed by Amiens: “Being able to stop off at the foot of such a splendid cathedral is a real privilege! We really liked the Saint-Leu district. The food is wonderful. It’s such a pleasure to navigate on the Somme.”
Bray-sur-Somme is famous for its fishing ponds. In Chipilly, you’ll be moved by the monument representing an English soldier consoling his injured horse. Sailly-Laurette is another charming village where the echo of “guinguettes” (restaurants with dancing) from yesteryear can still be felt. “That lazy, hazy river where we both can dream…” keep singing…
Now stop off in Corbie, home of Saint Colette For many centuries, this town was wealthy and famous thanks to its abbey. The Gothic-style Saint-Pierre abbey-church still remains from this period. You can also admire: the Notre-Dame de la Neuville Renaissance-style church with its lacework tympanum; the Saint-Étienne church, whose portal demonstrates the transition between Romanesque and Gothic art; the town hall, inside a Neo-Gothic-style castle, and the monumental gateway. From the Sainte-Colette viewpoint, enjoy the wonderful panorama of the Somme valley and the Barette ponds.
In Lamotte-Brebières, on the left, you can see old watering places for horses. Between Daours and Camon, you will go under the Jules-Verne viaduct, built above the Somme valley. Then cross the legendary hortillonages. The lively district of Saint-Leu, in the shadow of the Notre-Dame cathedral, invites you to moor up. You’ll be spoilt for choice for restaurants.
Close up on the suggested route below :
Practical information :
Rest stop just before the Corbie lock, heading towards Amiens, opposite the “Capsom” co-operative, next to the campsite, a stone’s throw from the city centre and its shops.
Service provider contact information:
chemin du port
80340 Cappy
tel : 03.22.76.12.12 or 03.86.91.72.72
Rental of barges (different capacities)
Some tourists also come with their own boats
Tip : bring bikes to visit places and to make off-boat trips easier.
Bring €2 coins for the electric supply
Duration of trip : Two days: one day to travel down to Amiens and one day to travel back up to Cappy.
Length of trip : around 40 km
Advantage : no need for a licence; authorisation is issued for two days after a brief initiation.
Another advantage: A brief phone call to the Somme canal controller and lock operators will be waiting to let you through.
Suggestion for a break : the Fauquet’s Brasserie, the Abbatiale, Marine or Table d’Agathe restaurants in Corbie town centre.